The Best Compression Socks For Running, Nurses, Flying, And More

When training, people are working towards certain goals and often times a boost is always welcome. Fitness is more ingrained in our culture now more than ever before and being fitness-inclined today means having the right gear even for the everyday gym goer. From basketball players to runners, weight lifters and even normal gym enthusiasts, compression socks are not a new thing. The stretchy socks squeeze your legs and provide compression therapy.

​They increase blood flow, which allows the legs to perform at their best as more oxygen is available to the muscles. They are ideally worn when running and also help in preventing shin splints, fatigue or other issues that are typically caused by poor blood flow. They also keep the calf muscles tight so that they don’t move from side to side, which may cause damage.

Here Are Our Choices For The Top Compression Socks

Physix Gear Compression Socks

The Physic Gear Sport socks made our list due to their reliability with the size chart, great ankle, toe, and heel fit, and durability. They also offer a variety of color options, albeit with the same general pattern.

A-Swift Compression Socks

T A Swift socks made our list in large part due to their many colorful designs. Most compression socks are very similar and its small details that separate one from the other. They work as stated, but also come in a large variety of colorful choices.

SB Sox Comperssion Socks

The SB Sox are our preferred socks due to the tremendous comfort provided from the fitted heal and toe design. Similar to the other pairs as far as reducing ankle swelling and comfort.

Compression socks have gained a lot of popularity among people who live a life of fitness and with all they are good for, it comes as no surprise. Aside from their beneficial aspect, the socks also come in contemporary designs, which means you can wear them casually without looking out of place.

Basics about compression socksCompression socks are designed to be therapeutic such that they support the lymphatic and venous systems of the legs. Runners and people who like to go on long treks generally use graduated compression stockings. These are compression stockings that are tighter at the ankles and loosen up a bit going up towards the knee. They typically reach right below the knee or above it. Different people wear them for different reasons, thus you may spot an athlete wearing a single sock.The socks are available in different pressure or compression levels. Those with lighter compression can be bought over the counter while tighter socks can only be worn with a doctor’s advice.​

Wearing them after workouts also has its benefitsInjuries are commonplace for sports people, and though not as often, even the regular gym goer has an injury or two to nurse every once in a while. While the everyday fitness enthusiast is more inclined to take a break when something is not right with their body, professional athletes don’t enjoy the same luxury. For them, it is the sooner the better and nothing is more frustrating to them than injuries suffered in training.

A review from the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that compression gear can help speed up athlete recovery for injuries they get during tough competitions or intense workouts and when not as effective the compression gear will lessen the perception of muscle soreness.

The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research also conducted a study to investigate this with encouraging results. The study observed recovery in rugby players, showing quicker recovery for players who wore compression socks for a full 24 hours. This indicates that compression gear would benefit your healing process during injuries if worn for lengthy periods.​

Compression socks are good for more than just workoutsThat they have therapeutic attributes makes compression stockings a viable treatment for venous disorders, for instance post phlebetic syndrome, varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency and lymphedema. The socks can achieve this by enabling blood circulation back to the heart from the legs thus reducing swelling in the legs. They can also prevent the formation of blood clots in the legs which makes them ideal for post-operative patients who are predisposed to this.

Pregnant mothers can also benefit from wearing compressions socks. As the pregnancy grows bigger, expectant women experience a lot of discomfort in their legs since the pressure is twice what is normal. This strains the venous system and may result in varicose veins. Wearing compression socks counteracts this effect and gives them relief.

Compression socks also come in handy for travelers as well as people who have to spend the most part of their day standing which may cause swelling in the legs and varicose veins. As for travelers, the socks will reduce the effects of poor circulation which often occurs after hours of sitting.​Compression socks have become a fad and many people wear them simply because they are stylish and much more comfortable than shorts. They also have an athletic look that gets the wearer mentally prepared for the grueling workout ahead.